USA > Indiana > Cass County > Combination atlas map of Cass County, Indiana > Part 10
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In the Winter of 1868-4, the One Ilundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment was formed, with Richard P. De Hort as Colonel, and Josbua Healy as Major, and subsequently Nathl. S. Poul was Adjutant, Of this regiment Cass County supplied most of the members of Companies B, H and K.
Of Company B, Alex. K. Ewing was Captain from Deeamber 13, 1863, to September 80, 1864, when John C. Barnitt became Cnptoin. John C. Bar- uitt was First Lieutenant from December 13, 1863, to December 1, 1864, and was succeeded by William C. Mills, subsequently hy Frank E. West. John T. Powell was Second Lieutenant from December 18, 1863, to the 3d of March, 1864, whon ho was promoted to Captoin of Company H. Ile was succeeded in their order by Wm. C. Mills, Frank E. West and Samuel Tilton.
The roster of Company II is as follows : Jobn T. Powoll, Captain, and Wm. A. Harper, Firat Lieutenant.
Of Company K tho following wero the officers from this county : Frank M. Hinton, Captain ; Geo. W. Smith, First Lieutenant, and Wm. Il. Crockett, Second Lieutenaut.
In the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, Jobn C. Seontling was Captain of Company C, subsequently promoted to Major, and after heing regularly mustered out with the regiment, enlisted in the regular army. J. L. Cornwell, Joseph P. MoKee and Jobn O. Penroso were First and Second Lieutenents.
The foregoing emhraoes nearly u complete list of the officers, with their regimentol and company connection, from Cass County, who represent its military history.
BOUNTY AND RELIEF.
What has been done in this department hy our people is no less conspiou- ous, as is shown hy the following, taken from the Adjutant Oeneral's report. For hounties, the county at large has paid $127,825.00, and the town- ships, $101,579.00-in all, $229,404.00.
For the relief of soldiers' families, ete. :
The county paid the sum of ... While the townships paid ...
$50,105 80 32,519 18
Total for relief.
$82,624 98
For miscellaneous purposes,
3,879 00
Making totol expenses paid.
$816,407,93
SNAKE STORY.
The following narrative of an encounter with a rattlesnake is given by Mr. Benjamin Porter, of Clinton Township, whose veracity is unquestioned. He says : " Ahout the 20th of May, 1881, I and my brother wsre prospect- ing for land, with the view of seleeting a tract suitoble for purchase and ocoupaney ns a bomestend, whenever we should detormine to settle. Tbe night previous, we had stopped at Lockport, in Carroll County, at the house of a Mr. Barnes, who subsequently erected a mill on Burnett's Creek, in that vicinity. Ilaving eaten an early breakfast, wo left, taking a nortb- easterly course, until wo arrived at the boundary line of Section 4, in Town- ship 26 north, Range 1 west. Here we halted and hegan to look around, taking observations.
"It was concluded that we should separate, my hrotber traetng ths boundary lines, while I would go through, each taking note of the kind of timher, and tho lay and quality of the land. Expecting to meet snakes in our route, we had taken the precautionary stop to out a stick apiece, for the double purpose of a walking etick und as a weapon of dofense against rattlesnakes, which were then numerous in that locality, should oeension require it. Mine wes n detached section of a kin-no-ka-nic bush, ths dimensiona being about six feet in length and an inch and a half in dinm. eter. Thus equipped, I had travoled two or two and a half miles, going through and around, when, on heating haok the weeds and grass in front, I discovered a huge rattlesnake, of the yellow species, preparing to dispute my further passage along that route. He had given the customary signal aud measured balf his length iu darting from his coil toward me, thrusting
his ugly head much too nenr my person to insure perfect steadiness of . seribed number of shots had been fired, the umpire announeed: "Col. nerves. Duret has won "-henco tho name-LOGANs-port. On the 12th of August, 1829, by the action of the Commissioners appointed for the purpose, Logansport was selected as the seat of justice of Casa County, pursuant to the provisions of the set anthorizing the organization of the County. " Recovering from the gudden shock, I dealt his snakeship a heavy hlow with my stick, knocking him back, stuuning him only fer a moment. Im- mediately recovering himself, he seized the end of the stick with his teeth, requiring from mo a considerable exertion of strongth to relieve it from hia grasp. The deep prints of his teeth, as they sersped the surface of the atick, told full plainly of the innnense power of his jaws. Striking him another heavy blew and wounding him still more, ho returned the compli- ment, as after the former streke, leaving again (tho deep tracings of his teeth upon the stiok. Auother and heavier hlow so atunned him tunt I was ennhled, hy a few more well direoted strokes, to reduce his head to a pulpy mass. Supposing all donger passed, I approached the reptile's careoss for the purpose of romoving his rattles, to he retained as a traphy of my encounter, having taken the precaution to pin his head to the ground with a sharp-pointed stiek. Notwithstanding this, when I took hold of the rattles, by his great muscular power yet unexhausted, he tore away from his fast- tenings ond darted at 'me with the velocity of lightning, and coiled his almost headless trunk around my legs. I roleased my bold as rapidly as possible, and disengaged my partially parslyzed limbs. When this was necomplished, and the rattles removed, a mist reso up before me nnd I was overcome with a most deathly siekness , which eentinued for nearly half an hour.
"Upon recovering from the effects of the poisonous inhalation, with somno effert, 1 took the dend snake on the end of my stick and hung him up on a buckeye bush about six feet high. This snake was over five feet long and nearly that many inches in diameter, having sixteen rattles.
" When I found my brother, waiting at tho seetion corner, and related the transaction, ho took up his stiek aud storted, saying to me: ' Ben, if that is the kind of anokes here, we don't want this land !" And we left."
EEL TOWNSHIP.
Eel Township was organized on tho lat day of May, 1829, and stands first on the list of eivil townships organized in the county less than a month subsequent to the organization of the county itself. In area, it is, perhaps, the smallest in the county, as it is, also, in population, outside of Logansport.
The first actual settler in this township, ns at first organized, was Moj. Daniel Bell, a brother-in-law of Oen. John Tipton, who came remotely from Harrison, but immediately from Putnam County, in this Stote, and settled in the township on tho 27th day of March, 1827. He was soon after fol- lowed by the family of Mr. Joseph Barron, who settled half a mile helow the " Point," on the north side of tho Wahash, about the 1st of July of the same year. Hugh B. MeKeen, afterward a son-in-law of Mr. Barron, camo soon after, and erected a trading houso on the "Point," at tho southern extremity of MoKeen street, in the city of Legansport. From that timo forward, settlements increased rapidly and tho devolopment of natural resources proceeded in about the some ratio. But, inasmuch as the separate bistory of this township is, in fact, the separate history of Logansport, the reader is directed to that souree fer detoils.
CITY OF LOGANSPORT.
Ths sent of justice of Cass County, as originally laid out, was a small, unpretentious plat, in the shaps of n right-angled triangle, its base being of the length of five, and its perpendicular of four squares, embracing ono hundred and eleven lots and fractions, the standard lots being five by ten rods in size; alleys, parallol with the base (Canal street), heing sixteen and a half feet in width, and those at right angles therewith only ten feet in width ; streets all sixty-six feet, except Broadway, which was eighty-two and a balf feet wide.
The lots contained an arsn of fifty square rods, and those oocupying a position on the corner of a square were offered and sold for seveuty-five dollars ; tho otbers, fifty dollars. Many of ths lots first offerod were sold on the condition that the purchaser should ereet thereon, within a preserihed period, a house not less than eighteen by twenty feot and one story high.
This city, in embryo, now known as the "original plot," was laid out by the proprietor, Chauncey Carter, on the 10th day of April, 1828, the plat of whieb was recorded in Carroll County, to whogs jurisdiction this torritory then helonged. In connection with the name by which it is now known, the following characteristic incident is related :
The survey bad just been completed and it only remained to give to the new plat a name, which would be at onee significant and attractive. The employes, the proprietor and others immediately or remotely interested, with a few lookers on, who were present, hegan anxiously to cogitote upon tho question, having assembled under one of those hig clm trees which in those days bordered the sbores of the Wnhash, in the vicinity of the " Point," for that purpose. Gen. Tipton, who entertoined a reverence for the classic significance of Roman and Greok etymologics, suggested tho use of a Latin compound which would be a synonym for " Tho Mouth of Eel," of historic fame or otherwise, commemorative of the location. Another submitted an In- dian name, by which the locality had heforc heen known. Meanwhile, numer- ous propositions had heen made and canvassed. Then, Mr. McKeen, wbo had formerly resided on tho Maumce River, in the vicinity of which Cupt. Logan, a Shawaueo chiof, lost his life while attesting his fidelity to the whites, in the mouth of November, 1812, proposed that the memory of this Indion hero be perpetuated in the namo of tho now town. Col. Duret agreed with the idea, und thought the addition of port to the chief's name would he nppro- priate and cuphonious. Others thought similarly, except that one proposed that town should he so appended, and another that ville was the proper word to follow. Each had its advocates, so thore was no agreement.
In this emergency, some one snid, " Let'e shoot for it-four best ont of seven wins." This was unanimously assented to, and a black spot made with moistened powder on a distont tree was the torget improvised for the occasion. The shooting commenced, and, in a brief period, when the pre-
At the time it was laid out and for several years subsequently, its im- portanee was chiefly recognized in the light of a central " trading nost" for a large extent of Indion territory surraunding, and as such it acquired & well-merited fame. The consequence was that, as soon as tho courao of trade hegan to ha diverted from this point, the produoing population outside tho town heing inndequato to the demands of consumption, the growth af the town was greatly retarded fer several years, until, indeed, tho preduots of tho country equaled, overbalanced the consumption account of the non-pro- dueers in town, and tho avenues of trado were opened with other markets.
The increnso in population and facilities for business for several years following the season of grentest depression, in 1836-7, when every thing was at o stand-still, was gradunl, uniform aud certain. Prior to 1860-65, the spirit of improvement and enterpriso was searcely developed. At n Inter peried, howover, new life and vigor hegan to he infused into the elements of progress, and more rapid advances in the prospects of trade wero fore- shadowed. Activity in every department of industry was the rule rathor than the exception; and enpital, heforo withheld from profitable invest- ments, as if a dollar ent of sight was forever lost, began to seek investment in public and private enterprises which have since yielded lihoral profits.
From that time the character of tho improvements were no longer uneer- tain, continuing to assume a moro healthy and permanent charseter than was over heforo known, and tho population increasing. in tho Inst deendo, nearly three bundred per cent .- a ratio of advancement seldom surpassed. At this time, the railroad facilities of Logansport are equal to theso of almost any other Western oity, giving it direet communication with the great points of trade East, West, North and South ; while it hos a less number of radint- ing lines than some other railroad eenters, such as have a landing hero, tap the great commercial points of tho West in their route.
GAS WORKS.
Logansport hos at this time a complete systom of gos works extending over the greator part of the city, having shout twelvo miles of pipe laid, furnishing an abundant supply of light.
These works, in the beginning, wero of small pretensions, but fully equal to the demands of the times. They owe their establishment hero to J. W. Baine & Co., who, having purebnsed the grounds now covered by tho old werks, eame here in the Summer of 1862, and commenced tho erection of the necessary buildings thereen without much delay in the preliminary arrangements.
By an ordinance passed August 21, 1862, tho city granted to tho Logans. port Gas Light & Coko Company, nominally composed of Thomas Harvoy and Alfred H. Knowles, under the firm name of Thomas Harvey & Co., of the town of Marion, Marion County, Ohio, and thoir assoeintes and suocess- ors, heirs und assignees, acting under the company name aforesaid, the ex- clusivo privilege, for the term of twenty-five years from that date, of using the streets and alleys of the city, as then or therenfter Inid out, for the pur- pose of laying down in said streets and nlleys tho necessary pipes for the conveyance of gas for the use of the city and its inhabitants. The company was also exempted from the payment of city toxes for a period of five years from the lat of January, 1864.
In consideration of the foregoing and other privileges, the company was required, on or before the 1st of October, 1863, to completo the apparatus for generating gas, and lay down in connection thorewith, at least one mile of main pipes, and thereafter extend the same as the demands for gas should justify.
The works were accordingly put in operation, and the company, from time to time, extended their mining and increased the capacity for mauufnc- turing gas in quantity and quality as required by tho public demand. The original stock of the company having changed hands, the management and control of the works changed also.
A few years sinee, the capacity of the company for mnuufacturing hoth quantity and quality of gas has greatly increased, the avennes of supply heing inerensed in a liko ratio. Now, instend of two and a fourth miles of main and branch pipes, the maximum fifteen years ago, the company suji- plies gos through more than fourteen miles of pipe, which is hardly equal to the demand, notwithstanding the improved facilities for its manufacturo. All the principal streets, public buildings and business houses, as well as a large proportion of tho private residences of the city, aro lighted from the supply of theso worka.
WATER WORKS.
Perhaps no city in the West is botter provided with the means of protec- tion against fire than Logansport, notwithstanding her experience with dis- astrous fires havo not been such as to induco extraordinary efforta to secure a perfect aystem.
However this may have been, after very oxtensive agitation of the anh- ject of water works, the City Council, in December, 1875, having determined" upon n aystem of water works adapted to the wants of the city, awarded the contract therefor to Messrs. H. R. Smith & Co., of Columbus, Obie, to furnish the pipes and special costiugs, plneing them in position, testing, ste., and Cope & Maxwell, Hamilton, Ohio, furnishing the pumping house, machinery and fixtures, the entire works to be completed und placed in per- fect working order for $175,000. This sum including the purchase of the Forest Mill property. The minins extend through nino iniles of streets, passing under tho bed of Eel River to the West Division, at Broadway, thus furnishing that part of the city, as well as the business section, with an abundant supply of good water. The works were fully completed and in working order, in September, 1876.
HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS OF CASS COUNTY.
BOONE TOWNSHIP.
Until the year 1834, no permanent settlement was made within the borders of this township which bears the nbove name. In that year, several worthy men, as if guided by some unseen hand, deter- mined to try their fortunes in her deep forests. Foremost among these was Andrew Kline, father of Henry Kline, now a citizen of Royal Center. Mr. K. soleeted for his future home what is now known as the Amos Fultz farm. From the most reliable authority at our command, before the close of the year 1834, the following men bad become citizens of the township : Jobn Henry, who settled on the Shaffer farm; James Denton on the farm belonging to Mr. Brown ; Vincent Calvin, on tho Mrs. David Foutz farm, and George D. Washburn, on the farm owned hy Thomas Beekley and Josbua Kistler.
In 1835, an opening being made in the woods, the following men were indueed to join the little colony: John Beckley, Sr., who located on the Randolph Funk and H. M. Bliss farm ; Josepb Belew, on the farm owned by Daniel Martindale ; Thomas Martindale, also upon the Daniel Martindale farm ; John Reeder, on the farm owned by Shafler ; David Beekley, on the Funk farm (afterward owned by Huffman and Powell); Robert Bernetba, ou the farm owned by David Beck- lep ; Henry Long, on the farm belonging to Henry Dot, and J. Beede, on what is known as the Antrum farm.
In 1836, John Beekley Jr., yet a resident of the township, settled on the Goodrieb farm ; Daniel Weyand, also still a citizen of the town- ship, on the farm owned by Huffinan. Others of the same year were Jonas Kistler, Samuel Black, Jacob Kistler, Jr., James McCawley and Henry Powell.
Among those of 1837, with others who came soon after that date, we name Solomon Berkshire, David MeCombs, Jacob Kistler, Sr., George Caldwell, Elias B. Waterhouse, Morris T. Harvey, William Guthrie, Martin Key, Philip Sbaffer, William and Jonas Kistler, - Burtin, George, Riebard and Laban Gasten, and Georgo M. Fickle and John Noland.
Doubtless to this list justly belong many other names-names whieb we would have recorded gladly had they been furnished us by our informauts.
At an early date in the bistory of the townsbip, the citizens of Boone began to feel an interest in their spiritual welfare, which re- sulted in the holding of religious meetings at the residence of Martin Key, by the denomination known as Baptists. Soon after eame the Metbodists, and still later the United Brethren. The first chureb in the township was built by the United Bretbren in Royal Center, in 1862. The next was by the German Lutheran, known as the " Albright Chapel."
The first sohool in the townsbip was taught in the Winter of 1835-36, hy Thomas Harvey. In the Winter of 1838-39, another school was taught in Royal Center, by Mary Washburn.
The township was organized May 8, 1838. Soon after this, an election was held in the cabin of David Beekley, which is at present tbe Charles Huffman farm. At this election, eleven votes were cast. Jobn Beckley aoted as Inspector. George Caldwell was chosen first Justice of the Peace. The first Trustees were Jacob Kistler, Jr., Daniel Weyand and John Beekley.
The first marriage which oceurred was that of Elijab Booth to Sarah Beckley, in 1836.
In 1835, Minerva A. Kliue was born to Andrew and Hannab Kline, which was probably the first birth in the townsbip.
The first death wbicb occurred was the wife of John Henry, wbo died very suddenly from heart disease, in 1834.
Tho first mill in the township was built by Conn & Hendce. It was similar, in one respeet, to that built by Mr. Stevena, in Harri son Township, namely, the power being generated by a good yoke of oxen.
Boono is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county. Of course she does not elaim to have made the same progress in the way of improvements as have those townships situated near the county seat. In certain localities hier, lands are in a good state of cultivation, while in others the hand of the husbandman is needed to render it more attractive and productive.
The name and location of eburches will be seen hy reference to tbe township map.
Her school houses are eight ; enrolled aehool children, -.
ROYAL CENTER
is a village of muoli life and enterprise, situated near the central part of tho township, on the line of the P., C. & St. L. Railroad. It was laid out about 1845, by Elisses Andrus. Its first merohant was Mr. G. B. Moore, still n citizen of the town, who established his atore soon after the village was laid off. Its business men at present are as follows: Sweet & Bro., general merchants; Hamilton & Bro., dry goods and notions; Robert Mahaffie, general store; Christian Close, shoe shop; Valentine Fox, shoe shop; William Hanselman, planing and saw-mill; Robert Mahaffie, eooper shop and manufac- turer of furniture; Henry Graut, blacksmith and wagon shop; Joshua Cramer, hlaeksiuith sbop; Dr. D. Ray, druggist; Sweet & Bro., warehouse ; phyaieiana are N. C. Gowgle, - Hoover, James Thomas and D. N. Foutz ; Painter Thompson, restaurant; G. W. Cummins, dealer in pumps nod agricultural implements; Hiser & Cummins, restaurant ; Charles Wolley, hotel; Henry Kline, hotel ; S. Minthorn, boarding house; Mrs. Julian, hoarding bouse; one church, Methodist.
At present (November, 1877), n large two-story brick aehool house, with four rooms, is being built. The taste and comfort
displayed in the arrangement of the building show that the citizens are interested in the eause of education.
Population of the village between 500 and 600.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
This township was so-called, thus assisting to commemorate the name of the illustrious warrior, statesman and President, William H. Harrison.
Its first wbite inhabitant was John Fleteber, who came in the Winter of 1832 and entered the land now known as the Skinner farm. The Government Land Office for this distriet at that time was at La Porte, Ind. Tbither Mr. Fletcher was compelled to go in order to enter his land. While on this trip, being obliged to camp out at 'night, be bad the sad misfortuno to freeze his feet and legs, from the effeets of which both his feet were amputated.
Probably the first man to join Mr. Fletcher in bis forest home was Robert Barnett, father of Asbury Barnett, now an bonored and influ- ential citizeu of Clay Township. Mr. Barnett ehose for his future home the land now owned by Mr. Shidler.
From the best authority at our command we ars unable to learn the names of any others who entered the township during the year 1832.
In 1833, bowever, being stimulated by the example of deter- inined leaders, a number of men were induced to take up their abode in the dense woods of what soon became Harrison Township. They were James Blackburn, who settled on the Warfield farm ; a Mr. Ross, on the farm now owned hy Jumes Reams; Harrison Barnett, on what is now the Skinner farm ; Lewis Crane, on the land belong. ing to Mr. Reams and Freshour ; Joseph Dunham, on the Fresbour farm ; John Carnell, ou the farm where he is living; Richard How- ard, on the farm owued hy Jameson; and Joshua Garrett, on the farm owned by the heirs of Senator Pratt.
In 1834, came the following: William and Peter Michaels, who settled on tbe Umphenhour farm ; James Piercy, on the farm belong- ing to Mr. Maroney ; James Corhit, on the Bell farm ; James Gates, on the farm where he is still living; John Calvin, on tbo farm belonging to his heirs; William Grant, wbo is the oldest man in the township, being in his 89th year, on the farm where he still lives ; and John Calvin, on the land owned by bis widow.
In 1835, Samuel Sharp and James Rogers settled on the farin where they are living at present. Others of the same year were James and Elder Sharp, Charles Riley, Michael Burk, James Mont- gomery, Noah and Tobias Castle, Jobn Overlesse, George Foglesong, Daniel Foglesong, Abraham Skinner, Mercer Brown, Benjamin Powell, George Brown, James Denning, Leander Dixon, Stibbens Powell, Isaae Smitb, A. A. Mabaffie, J. R. Jobnson, James Seott, Ester Brooks and John Callahan.
Among those wbo eame in 1836 we name James Stevens, Mieh- ner Tucker, William Mahafhe, James Butler, George Allhands, Daniel Morrison, David Pinkerton, Christopher Long, - Hamerly, Owen Hart, James, William and Conn Noland, Henry Garrett, Will- iam Donnovan, Jesse Kilgore and Joseph Gibson.
Among those who came soon after 1836, and shared in tho trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, and are, thereforo, wortby of honorable mention, we name Edward Wbalen, Jacob and Daniel Ramley, William Whalen, Newton Clary, Morris Landrigens and Reuben Bacbelder.
The first religious meeting in the townsbip was beld at the res- idenee of Robert Barnett in 1833 or '34, by tbe Metbodists, Rev. Burroughs Westlake preacbiug. Mr. Burns was also an early preacher for this denomintion.
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